Feature: Guildford’s Rich Heritage – Free to Explore

Published on: 9 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 11 Aug, 2017

Stained glass window – St. Bartholemew’s, Wanborough,

By Alice Fowler

Fancy exploring an Iron Age hill fort? Or a newly built opera house? Or a museum of military medicine? Perhaps Georgian Guildford is more your thing. Or maybe you would rather wander through an English cut flower garden, a short skip away at East Clandon.

The interior of Grange Park Opera in the woods at East Horsley (click on photos to enlarge)

If any of these appeal – or more than 100 other options, all every bit as intriguing – mark September 7 to 10 in your diary. Once again, Guildford’s Heritage Open Days are under way, an extraordinary opportunity to discover and celebrate the history and culture on our doorstep.

Some 114 events are promised this year within the borough, encompassing not just buildings but walks, talks, performances, tours and art. All – including the Watts Gallery, Guildford Castle, National Trust houses and others which normally charge admission – are free.

Church interior – St. Nicholas at Compton, showing its unique double sanctuary

Heritage Open Days are a national event, managed by the National Trust with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery. This year – as last, when Guildford came fifth in the national table – Guildford expects to have one of the highest number of activities of any borough in the UK, thanks to the hard work of The Guildford Society, the Town Guides and Guildford Borough Council.

There’s a lot to see and enjoy – and it’s all for free…

“Guildford has always enjoyed joining in, right from the start over 20 years ago,” says volunteer Margaret Jackson. “The places we come up against are all cities: places like Norwich, Oxford and Gloucester. We’re extremely lucky we’ve got so many historic buildings that can be opened.”

New entrants this year include the opera house at West Horsley; the clubhouse of Effingham Golf Club (formerly a manor house and country home of an 18th century tobacco magnate); and First World War storytellers at the Guildhall.

St Peter and St Paul’s, Albury

Two local vineyards are taking part: Greyfriars on the Hog’s Back, a stalwart for many years, and Albury Vineyard, back for a second year, whose sparkling wine was enjoyed at the Heritage Open Days national launch at RIBA, London, in July.

In Guildford town centre, Saturday September 9 will be the focus of the event, with costumed parades in the High Street at 11am and 1.30pm, Medieval re-enactors on Castle Green and boat people on the Town Wharf.

Costumed boat people – The Wey and Arun Canal Trust who will be at the Town Wharf on September 9

Historic town centre buildings, including Guildford Castle, the Victorian School Room, Guildhall and Medieval Undercroft, will open on that day. In the town and surrounding villages, some thirty churches will open their doors, many of them listed; while energetic visitors to Guildford Cathedral will be able to climb 249 steps to the top of the tower.

It’s a big volunteering festival…

Like all such events, Heritage Open Days rely on an army of volunteers – some 40,000 nationally. Here in Guildford, stewards are drawn from the Town Guides and The Guildford Society. Each volunteer gives up a minimum of two hours to ensure visitors enjoy their visit and learn as much as possible.

“It’s a big volunteering festival,” says Margaret Jackson. “You get an introduction to volunteering, while committing yourself to just two hours a year. We are very happy to put a new person with a more experienced one. There’s still plenty of time to volunteer.”

Corridor at Horsley Towers – two two guided walks feature this year

While most events and buildings can simply be visited on the day, some popular venues do need to be booked in advance. Guildford’s printed brochure will be available from the Tourist Information Centre later this month. It can already be viewed online at www.guildford.gov.uk/heritageopendays.

The national website, www.heritageopendays.org.uk has an event directory which can be searched by date, area, historical period and other criteria, including appeal to children. Check brochures for opening days and times.

Margaret concluded: “What I’m looking forward to most is meeting the visitors. You always talk to interesting people. Last year someone came into the Guildhall who was interested in picture frames – not the pictures, but the frames themselves.

“People come from a long way and it’s amazing what they come up with. There’s a lot to see and enjoy – and it’s all for free.”